SharkRockets swim in second meet of the season

Presley Perrow participates in the kickboard event for 6 and under swimmers. (Photos by Tara Bennett)

The Lonoke SharkRockets scored 52 points during their second meet of the Central Arkansas Swim League season Saturday at Sherwood. 

Swimmers competing Saturday were Tristan Bennett, Peyton Blackard, Matthew Boyles, Baileigh Dulaney, Kelyn Fagan, Madison Goodman, Mason Jackson and Kanon Williams.

Bennett scored 12 points during the meet. She won the girls 15-18 silver butterfly with a time of 34.31 seconds. She finished second in the silver backstroke with a time of 38.22 seconds. She was second in the gold breaststroke with a time of 40.82 seconds. Bennett was third in the gold freestyle with a time of 30.25 seconds. 

Blackard won three races in the boys 15-18 age division. He won the freestyle with a time of 31.91 seconds, the breaststroke with a time of 39.75 seconds and the butterfly with a time of 39.47 seconds.

Boyles won the boys silver breastroke in the 7-8 age division with a time of 26.66 seconds. He was second in the free style with a time of 23.46 seconds. 

Dulaney scored 11 points in the girls 15-18 age division. She won the breaststroke with a time of 48.19 seconds. She was second in both the freestyle (36.13 seconds) and the backstroke (44.25 seconds)

Fagan finished third in the boys 9-10 backstroke with a time of 49.46 seconds. He was their din the butterfly with a time of 58.93 seconds. 

Williams finished second in the boys 7-8 butterfly with a time of 32.11 seconds. He was third in the backstroke with a time of 28 seconds.

The boys 12-and-under 100-yard relay finished third with a time of 1 minute, 30.15 seconds. Swimming were Mason, Boyles, Williams and Fagan. 

Lonoke will swim at Cabot this Saturday.

Madison Goodman

Peyton Blackard

Lady Rabbits finish as Region Runners-up

The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits are the 2015 4A-East Region Tournament Runners-up after falling to Brookland in the finals of the tournament Tuesday. (Photo by Christy Hallum)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

POCAHONTAS — The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits ran up against a buzz saw in the finals of the 4A East Region Tournament on Tuesday.

Lonoke managed only two hits while Brookland has 11 in a 6-0 loss to the Lady Bearcats in the regional final. The Lady Jackrabbits will be the second seed from the East in the Class 4A state tournament, which starts Thursday at Mena. Lonoke receives a first-round bye and will play the winner of Gravette and Nashville on Friday at 5:30 p.m. If Lonoke wins, the state semifinals are Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The championship game is May 22 at 3 p.m. at Bogle Park in Fayetteville.

In the regional final, Brookland led 2-0 after one inning. The Lady Bearcats scored single runs in the third and fifth innings then twice in the sixth.

Lonoke's best scoring chance came in the top of the first. The Lady Jackrabbits left the bases loaded. Charley Jo Chesney struck out but reached on a dropped third strike. Jasalyn Truelove followed with a walk. Two batters later, Amanda Sexton walked to load the bases with one out. The next two Lonoke hitters popped out to end the inning. 

Candace James and Valerie Staton had Lonoke's only base hits. Staton's game in the second while James singled in the seventh. 

"I'm extremely proud of these girls," Lonoke coach Laura Park said. 

Jackrabbits win regional baseball title

The Lonoke Jackrabbits are the 2015 4A-East Region Champions (Photos by Melissa Pool)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

POCAHONTAS — The Lonoke Jackrabbits are the 2015 4A East Region champions.

Lonoke (17-3) scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to beat Brookland 8-7 in the championship game of the regional tournament Tuesday afternoon. The Jackrabbits will open Class 4A state tournament play Friday at noon against the winner of Thursday's game between Prairie Grove and Arkadelphia. The Badgers are the two-time defending state champions.

Our kids just keep finding ways to win," Lonoke coach Darrick Lowery said. "It's been something different every ballgame. Someone has stepped up. It's definitely been a team effort with the dugout keeping us in ballgames and bouncing back after momentum-changing plays. They are doing a great job."

Lonoke led 7-6 heading into the top of the seventh. Brookland hit a leadoff homer to tie the game at 7-7. Things looked bleak in the bottom of the frame. 

With one out, designated hitter Conner Linton reached on an error and went to second on a passed ball. After a flyout by Savonte Rountree for the second out of the inning, Elijan Seigrist reached on an error, allowing Linton to score the game-winning run.

Lowery said winning the regional title is huge. Three years ago when the Jackrabbits made it to the state championship game, Lonoke finished third in the regional tournament. 

"It was great for us to play in the first round (in 2012) because I had never been there and our kids had not been there in a long time," Lowery said. "This year with these guys, I feel confident that we play with anybody in the state. It's big for us to have that bye and set up our pitching."

Brookland took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. It was Lonoke's first deficit of the regional.

The Jackrabbits responded quickly with six runs in the bottom of the frame. Casey Martin hit a solo homer to lead off the inning. He also drove in two more runs with a single later in the frame. Also scoring in the third were Cody Martin, Nick Graves, Christian James, Todd Pool and Rountree. 

Brookland cut the deficit to 6-3 with a run in the fourth then tied it with three runs in the top of the fifth.

Lonoke reclaimed the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Routhree singled and scored on a double by Casey Martin.

Casey Martin was 4-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs. Also collecting hits were Haven Hunter, Cody Martin, Graves, Rountree and Seigrist. 

Ethan Holland got the win on the mound in relief. He pitched 2 1/3 innings. He gave up one on earned run while striking out two. He allowed only one hit.

Hunter pitched 4 2/3 innings. He gave up five hits and six runs with only four of them earned. He struck out three.

One thing that was possibly going to disturb Lonoke's run to another state title game was graduation, which is slated for Friday night at 8 p.m. at James B. Abraham Stadium in Lonoke while the state tournament is being played in Blytheville.

Provided the weather doesn't cause any issues, the Lonoke seniors should be able to return to Lonoke in time for graduation and head back to Blytheville if the Jackrabbits are victorious.

"It was definitely a concern going in on what we would do about that," Lowery said, adding that parents have volunteered to get the senior players back to Lonoke then back to Blytheville for a semifinal game if they win.

"We'll get all the little details worked out for that and we'll be ready to go," Lowery said.

The 2015 Lonoke Jackrabbits senior players with the regional championship award.

"

Lady Jackrabbits knock off Heber Springs, advance to regional final

Lonoke's Jasalyn Truelove stands on second base after getting a double against Heber Springs on Saturday. (Photo by Courtney McGowan)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

POCAHONTAS — The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits will play for their first regional title since 2004 on Monday.

Lonoke scored two runs in the top of the seventh to beat Heber Springs 4-2 in the semifinals of the 4A-East Region Tournament on Saturday. The Lady Jackrabbits last won a regional title in 2004 — also the last time Lonoke played in the state tournament. 

Lonoke led most of the game, plating single runs in the first and fifth innings. Jasalyn Truelove doubled and scored in the first. Gracie Cole single and scored on a single by Charley Jo Chesney in the fifth.

Chesney kept Heber Springs in check until the bottom of the sixth when the Lady Panthers scored twice to tie the game at 2-2.

Lonoke reclaimed the lead in the top of the seventh. Candace James and Cole both walked to lead off the inning. Madison McFadden, running for James and Cole both scored on a triple by Truelove.

Chesney then retired the Lady Panthers in order in the bottom of the frame to seal the win. 

Both teams had five hits. Truelove led Lonoke with two hits. Also getting hits were Chesney, Jarrelyn McCall and Cole. 

Chesney did not allow a walk in seven innings of work. She struck out two in the win. Also, Lonoke did not commit an error.

The Lady Jackrabbits will play Brookland for the regional championship Monday at 2:30 p.m. They will play in the Class 4A state tournament Friday at Mena. They will receive a first-round bye no matter what happens Monday. 

Jackrabbits beat Pirates in 8 innings; advance to regional title game

Lonoke's Casey Martin scores a run against Little Rock Central last week. Martin scored two of Lonoke's three runs against Gosnell in the regional semifinals Saturday. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

POCAHONTAS — It took some extra work but the Lonoke Jackrabbits will play for a regional championship Monday.

Lonoke (16-3) scored a run in the bottom of the eighth as the Jackrabbits beat the Gosnell Pirates 3-2 in the semifinals of the Class 4A East Region tournament Saturday. 

With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Lonoke's Nick Graves was hit by a pitch. He went to second on a single by Christian James. Todd Pool then reached on a fielder's choice. James was retired at second base but Graves came around to score the game-winning run.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third. Casey Martin singled and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Haven Hunter. Martin advanced to third on a balk and scored on a double by Graves.

Gosnell scored an unearned run in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 1-1.

Lonoke wasted no time in getting that run back as Casey Martin led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer. 

The Pirates tied the score at 2-2 with another unearned run in the top of the seventh.

Lonoke had numerous chances to score early in the game. The Jackrabbits left four runners in scoring position in the first three innings. 

The Jackrabbits also kept Gosnell in the game as they committed six errors. Both Gosnell runs were unearned.

Lonoke had eight hits in the win. Graves and Casey Martin had two hits each. Also getting hits were Hunter, Cody Martin, James and Pool.

Savonte Rountree pitched well despite getting a no-decision. He gave up four hits and one run in six innings of work. He struck out three. James got the win, pitching the seventh and eighth innings. He gave up an unearned run and three hits while striking out two.

Lonoke will play the Brookland Bearcats for the regional championship Monday at 2:30 p.m. Lonoke will also play in the Class 4A state tournament Friday at Blytheville. The Jackrabbits will receive a first-round bye no matter what happens Monday. 

Jackrabbits rout Trumann, qualify for state tourney

The Lonoke Jackrabbits are headed to the Class 4A state tournament after beating Trumann 10-0 in the first round of the regional tournament Friday at Pocahontas. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

POCAHONTAS — There was no letdown for the Lonoke Jackrabbits baseball team this season.

Lonoke routed Trumann 10-0 in the first round of the Class 4A East Region tournament Friday. The Jackrabbits were the top seed from the 4A-2 conference after winning the district tournament last week. The last two years, Lonoke was in the same position but got upset in the first round of the regional after playing in the Class 4A state championship game in 2012. Lonoke will play in the Class 4A state tournament next week in Blytheville, hosted by Gosnell HIgh School. 

The Jackrabbits (14-3) will play Gosnell in the semifinals Saturday at noon. 

In the win over Trumann on Friday, Lonoke pitcher Cody Martin allowed only one hit in five innings of work. He stuck out four in the victory.

Lonoke scored its first run in the bottom of the first. Casey Martin singled and stole second base. He eventually scored.

The Jackrabbits plated four runs in the third. Casey Martin, Haven Hunter, Cody Martin and Nick Graves all scored.

Lonoke put the game away when Christian James hit a grand slam in the fourth inning. Scoring on the play were Cody Martin, Graves, and Levi Ward, who was running for Elijah Seigrist. 

Lonoke's final run came in the bottom of the fifth. Savonte Rountree singled and eventually got to third base. He scored on a balk by the Trumann pitcher. 

The Jackrabbits had eight hits in the victory. Casey Martin and Conner Linton had two hits each. Also collecting hits were Hunter, James, Todd Pool, and Rountree.

James had five RBIs in the victory. 

Lady Rabbits break 11-year drought, qualify for state tourney

Lonoke's Gracie Cole heads toward first base during the 4A-2 District Tournament last week. Cole scored one of Lonoke's three runs in the Lady Jackrabbits' win over Pocahontas on Friday. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

POCAHONTAS — The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits are going back to the state tournament for the first time in 11 seasons.

The Lady Jackrabbits beat host Pocahontas 3-0 in the first round of the Class 4A East Region tournament Friday. With the win, Lonoke qualifies for the state tournament, which starts next Thursday at Mena. Lonoke's last appearance came in 2004 under former coach Daryl Fimple. 

The Lady Jackrabbits will play Heber Springs in the semifinals on Saturday at noon. Heber Springs beat Lonoke 7-5 in the only matchup between the two teams March 17.

In the win over Pocahontas, Lonoke pitcher Charley Jo Chesney allowed only three hits and no walks in seven innings of work. She struck out six Lady Redskin batters.

Lonoke (13-5) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Jasalyn Truelove hit an inside-the-park home run. 

Lonoke added to its lead in the top of the third. Gracie Cole walked and scored on a double by Chesney. Lonoke's final run came in the seventh. Amanda Sexton walked and scored on a single by Candace James. 

Lonoke had six hits in the victory. Truelove had three. Chesney, Jarrelyn McCall and James had one hit each.